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Best Of The Best 2006: Good Sport

The BMW K 1200 GT ($18,800) re­defines the company’s Grand Turismo paradigm with a refreshingly sleek and lightweight design. Although the K 1200 GT’s styling is cleaner and sharper-edged than that of any previous BMW tourer, the bike’s most notable attributes concern function, not form. BMW’s front Duolever and rear EVO-Paralever suspensions enhance the K 1200 GT’s stability by absorbing any road irregularities, and the optional Electronic Suspension Adjustment system further improves the ride by allowing you to change the dampening to suit almost any road surface. Heated seats and grips, tire pressure monitors, and a navigation system are among the other optional features that can improve the long-distance riding experience.

While the K 1200 GT is comfortable and capable, its engine—the same straight-four that powers the shockingly quick K 1200 S and K 1200 R—is the bike’s greatest asset. It enables you to sprint from zero to 62 mph in only 3.1 seconds, underscoring the sport side of the K 1200 GT’s sport-touring classification.

Lighter, more powerful, and even more refined than its predecessors, the new and substantially improved K 1200 GT indicates that BMW is not resting on its laurels.